"Sincerely, Sage Jo" - A Documentary Short Film

About this video

• Video Title: "Sincerely, Sage Jo" - A Documentary Short Film
• Channel: Goatee Media
• Speakers: Megan, Mitchell
• Duration: 00:22:33

Overview

This documentary short film chronicles the journey of Megan and Mitchell, from their childhood romance to navigating profound loss and building a business in memory of their son, Sage Jo. It explores themes of love, grief, remembrance, and healing through entrepreneurship.

Key takeaways

• Megan and Mitchell's relationship began in fourth grade and evolved through high school and college, leading to their marriage.
• They experienced the tragic loss of their son, Sage Jo, during childbirth.
• The grief process was deeply challenging, impacting their relationship and individual well-being.
• To honor Sage, they started a business, "Sincerely, Sage Jo," creating memorial pieces from flowers, which has become a source of healing and purpose.
• The business evolved from a personal project to a way to help others navigate grief and find light.

This video is a deeply personal and emotional journey, chronicling the life and love story of Megan and Mitchell, with a central focus on the profound impact of their son, Sage Jo. The tone is intimate, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful, despite the profound sadness explored.

Beats:

1. **Inception of Love (Child

Sure, here's the continuation of the detailed summary of beats and tone:

Beats:

1. Inception of Love (Childhood Romance): The video opens with Megan and Mitchell recounting their initial meeting and connection in fourth grade. There's a sense of nostalgic fondness and lightheartedness as they recall childhood memories, including Megan's early journal entry expressing her crush on Mitchell. This section establishes their foundational bond and shared history.

2. Evolution of the Relationship (Teenage Years to Young Adulthood): They detail how their relationship progressed through high school, describing it as an "on and off" dynamic, with the "universe" seemingly keeping them together. The narrative then moves to college, where they had a significant conversation about their past and future, solidifying their commitment. This phase is characterized by a mature reflection on their shared journey.

3. Marriage and Early Married Life: Megan and Mitchell discuss their wedding, a humble backyard affair. They touch upon their financial situation at the time and their desire for a low-key celebration. The tone here is warm and reflective, highlighting the significance of their commitment.

4. The Dream of Parenthood and the Arrival of Sage Jo: The couple expresses their mutual desire to become parents. The narrative shifts to the excitement and anticipation surrounding Megan's pregnancy with Sage Jo. They describe how Sage's name and presence felt right even before they were actively planning for children. This segment is filled with joy and hopeful expectation.

5. The Devastating Loss of Sage Jo: This is the emotional core and the most impactful section of the film. The video vividly portrays the traumatic experience of Sage's birth and subsequent passing. The recount is raw and harrowing, with Megan describing the panic, the struggle, and the overwhelming grief. Mitchell shares his perspective as a supportive partner, focusing on Megan's well-being. The tone here is somber, heavy, and deeply sorrowful, capturing the shock and pain of their loss.

6. Navigating Grief and Finding Support: The film explores the aftermath of Sage's death, detailing the difficulty of processing the trauma and the "foggy light" they lived in. Mitchell's role as a "rock" and Megan's experience of feeling unsafe are highlighted. They emphasize the crucial importance of their mutual support in this dark period. The tone is empathetic and underscores the depth of their shared struggle.

7. The Birth of "Sincerely, Sage Jo" (A Business Born from Grief): A turning point occurs when Megan starts pressing flowers from the abundant sympathy arrangements they received. This act, initially an emotional coping mechanism, evolves into a business idea after a TikTok comment. The tone shifts from despair to a nascent sense of purpose and creativity. They discuss their initial hesitations and how they eventually launched "Sincerely, Sage Jo," a business creating memorial pieces.

8. Healing Through Service and Memorialization: The film showcases how their business, "Sincerely, Sage Jo," becomes a vehicle for healing, not just for themselves but for others. They describe the profound impact of creating memorial pieces for grieving families, including a particularly poignant story about a stillborn baby. This section highlights the transformative power of channeling grief into helping others. The tone becomes more uplifting, emphasizing resilience and compassion.

9. The Arrival of Sequoia and a New Chapter: The couple shares the news of their subsequent pregnancy with their son, Sequoia. This pregnancy is described as a different experience, marked by fear and heightened awareness due to their previous loss. However, the birth of Sequoia is portrayed as a moment of immense relief and joy, a testament to their strength and the continuation of their family. The tone is one of cautious hope and profound gratitude.

10. Continuing the Legacy and Finding Peace: The film concludes with a reflection on Sage's enduring presence in their lives. They discuss how Sage is part of their family, explaining that while people may not talk about him as much, they prefer to openly remember him. The planting of a Catalpa tree with Sage's ashes is a powerful symbol of growth and remembrance. The final segment emphasizes that their journey, though marked by tragedy, has led them to a place of healing, purpose, and love, symbolized by their business and their growing family. The overall tone is one of enduring love, resilience, and hope.